What's the wording for an electric assist bicycle?

[JTsyo]

I'm currently looking for a bike for my son. We live in a hilly area so going up hill can be tiring. I was looking for a bike that could help with the uphill portions. When looking up "electric assist bikes" the ones that come up are ones that hit 20mph. What should I be searching for that would just assist with the pedaling as opposed to full power?

 

[IronWing]

My understanding is that the assist bikes are described as not having a throttle while the full power bikes have a throttle.

 

[lxskllr]

I only know what I've read about them, but I think the 20mph bikes are what you want. You set the amount of power provided with the controls. Here's a bunch of reviews from ars...

Ars Search | Ars Technica

Serving the Technologist for more than a decade. IT news, reviews, and analysis.

arstechnica.com

 

[BoomerD]

Just don't ask Quebert...he'll hook you up with some monster that will go 70 mph.

 

[MrSquished]

Pedal assist is the word.

You gotta pedal a little for the electric motor to kick in.

A lot of the bike share bikes around here are pedal assist. Phenomenal.

One of the best ways to get around. Don't need to rely on a car, even with good mass transit options, it's a great choice.

And the pedal assist works really well. You don't have to pedal much to go at a nice clip

 

[NutBucket]

Just don't ask Quebert...he'll hook you up with some monster that will go 70 mph.

Correction, death trap.

Anyway for the OP, he's a kid. Let him sweat.

 

[JTsyo]

My son and I faced the same uphill battle (literally!) in our hilly neighborhood. They're designed to give you a boost while pedaling, so you still get a good workout without feeling like you're on autopilot. When searching, maybe try keywords like "pedal-assist e-bike" or "e-bike with variable assist." That should narrow down the options and help you find something that suits your son's needs without hitting those high speeds. Oh, and while you're at it, have you considered bicycle insurance?

The one I ended up with was only $170 so it doesn't seem worth insurance.

 

[JTsyo]

Maybe I spoke too soon. This proposed law in NJ would require you to have a license and insurance to operate an electric bike. It would also restrict them to 15mph.

 

[Oyeve]

Pedal assist is the word.

You gotta pedal a little for the electric motor to kick in.

A lot of the bike share bikes around here are pedal assist. Phenomenal.

One of the best ways to get around. Don't need to rely on a car, even with good mass transit options, it's a great choice.

And the pedal assist works really well. You don't have to pedal much to go at a nice clip

Until they burn down your house or apartment. Several of these a week in NYC.

 

[Brainonska511]

Maybe I spoke too soon. This proposed law in NJ would require you to have a license and insurance to operate an electric bike. It would also restrict them to 15mph.

That law would kill the use and adoption of ebikes in NJ.